TONGUEPIERCING

It may be trendy and the height of fashion in some circles, but British dentists warn that tongue piercing can damage your health. Tongue studs can lead to breathing difficulties if the tongue becomes swollen, cause speech impediments and infections and damage teeth, says the British Dental Assn.

"There are these potentials for problems, either with infection at the site of piercing or with swallowing and inhaling the studs," said the association's Geoff Craig.